On yesterday evening's #DogWalk we encountered lots of deer, some Reds and some Sika. The group in the photo were the nearest to us. Apart from lifting their heads, to look at us, the deer stood motionless.
#Gruoch knew the deer were somewhere, she could smell them. However, even though she looked towards them, she didn't perceive them as deer because they didn't move.
Dogs, and presumably wolves, perceive movement not static shapes.
It is now officially Spring, as #Gruoch just got her first tick of 2026. I noticed the tick crawling about her, and removed it before it had time to attach.
I'm now expecting an explosion in tick numbers in the next week or so. 
To-day's #DogWalk
#Highlands #Scotland #photography #photo #landscapes #dogs #DogsOfMastodon #Gruoch
On yesterday's #DogWalk I came across this Crown Gall on a Silver Birch tree. These galls are tumours in the tree caused by infection from the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Although, I've read these tumours are benign, I wonder if it restricts the flow of water and nutrients in this tree's main trunk.
Yes, that is #Gruoch showing complete disinterest in my arboreal investigations.
To-day I met a Miniature Dachshund. He was a 5-month old puppy. He was absolutely tiny. Most remarkably, he was called Elvis. #Gruoch thought he was a Hound Dog. He didn't bark which meant Treat Me Nice. Gruoch looked Way Down on him. 
During my recent project of removing the rhododendrons from around the house, I came across this old bird's nest. I was delighted to see the birds had used Gruoch's discarded fur to line the nest. This was particularly pleasing as I had intentionally put out clumps of fur for this reason.
If you have a shedding dog you should do the same in the late winter and early spring.
When posting the photo of Gruoch I realised I haven't updated the website galleries for a while. I have now amended that situation by creating a new gallery:
@Sophistifunk
See my latest post. Also, check out the hashtag #Gruoch and the website galleries:
#Gruoch is a rescue dog. I don't know her birthday. Instead of celebrating her birthday I mark the anniversary of the day I first got her. I know lots of other people with rescue dogs who celebrate their own Gotcha Day.
Fitheach
